Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E
A well-established portable spot cleaner with a 2.8L clean tank and strong suction.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best carpet cleaner in 2026 is the Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E. It tops our ranking with 9.0 out of 10.
Our carpet cleaner picks
Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner EX150UKCP
An upright with a built-in handheld stain tool on a flexible hose, so one machine covers rooms and spot jobs.
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Vax SpotWash Duo CDCW-CSXA
A small corded spot cleaner for spills, stairs and sofa marks.
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Vytronix SWASH450P
A cheap, light spot cleaner for small stains on carpet, sofas and car seats.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 carpet cleaners, compared
We compared 20 carpet cleaners sold in the UK, then ranked ten of them by how happy owners are. These ten cover full-size upright machines for whole rooms and compact spot cleaners for pet accidents, stairs, sofas and car seats, from budget machines to premium models. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558EBest Choice
9.0 out of 10
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2
Vax Platinum SmartWash CDCW-SWXS
9.0 out of 10
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3
Vax SpotWash Duo CDCW-CSXAValue for Money
8.9 out of 10
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4
Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner EX150UKCPBest Premium
8.8 out of 10
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5
Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner
8.6 out of 10
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6
Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
8.6 out of 10
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7
Shark CarpetXpert HairPro Pet EX220UK
8.6 out of 10
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8
Vytronix SWASH450PBest Budget
8.6 out of 10
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9
Vax Platinum Power Max ECB1SPV1
8.5 out of 10
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10
Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 3670E
8.1 out of 10
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No. 1 and No. 2 are level
The Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E and the Vax Platinum SmartWash CDCW-SWXS score the same, so either is a safe pick. The Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E goes first because it leaves owners a little happier.
The full carpet cleaner reviews
1.Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E
A well-established portable spot cleaner with a 2.8L clean tank and strong suction. Pet owners favour it for accidents on carpet and sofas.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 750W with a 2.8L clean tank, larger than most spot cleaners
- 1.5m hose and a long cord of over 6m
- Two stain tools included
- Comes with a manufacturer guarantee
Keep in mind
- Loud at around 84dB
- Around 6kg is heavy to carry up stairs
- The 2.2L dirty tank needs emptying often on larger stains
2.Vax Platinum SmartWash CDCW-SWXS
A mid-weight upright that cleans and dries in one pass. Owners rate it highly for everyday deep cleans of living rooms and bedrooms.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 3.8L clean tank for a room or two between refills
- Dries in around an hour in its Dry Only mode, according to Vax
- Comes with a SpinScrub hand tool, an antimicrobial tool and a pet attachment
- Lighter than the Power Max at around 8.6kg
Keep in mind
- The dirty tank is only 1.7L, so you empty it often on a dirty carpet
- Takes up cupboard space like any upright
- Vax recommends its own solutions, so check the warranty terms before using others
3.Vax SpotWash Duo CDCW-CSXA
A small corded spot cleaner for spills, stairs and sofa marks. Owners rate it highly for quick clean-ups of tea, coffee and pet accidents.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Compact and easy to store in a cupboard
- Two 2-in-1 tools cover stairs, upholstery and car seats
- 1.5m hose and 4.5m cord reach most stains
- Two-year guarantee
Keep in mind
- Too small to wash a whole room
- The 1.6L tank means frequent refills on larger jobs
- The 4.5m cord often needs an extension lead
4.Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner EX150UKCP
An upright with a built-in handheld stain tool on a flexible hose, so one machine covers rooms and spot jobs. Owners report good results on traffic lanes and spills.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Built-in handheld stain tool means no separate spot cleaner
- 960W with a 2.3L tank
- Includes a crevice tool, hose-cleaning tool and starter formula
- Five-year warranty
Keep in mind
- Owners say the tanks are small, so the dirty tank fills quickly
- Loud at around 80dB
- The hose-fed handheld tool adds bulk when storing
5.Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner
A 1100W portable machine with a motorised brush, made for stains on carpet, stairs and upholstery. The maker's name is better known for its full-size hire machines.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Motorised brush agitates the stain rather than just soaking it
- 1.9L clean tank and 1.9L dirty tank
- 4.6m power cord reaches most rooms without an extension
- Handheld tools for upholstery and stairs
Keep in mind
- At around 7.5kg it is heavy for a spot cleaner
- The maker says to use only Rug Doctor solutions, which adds running cost
- Costs more than the Vax and Vytronix spot cleaners here
6.Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
The home version of the machine you see in supermarket hire bays. An upright for people who clean large areas and want hire-shop results at home.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1300W motor with 1300 air watts of suction
- 3.8L clean tank and 4.2L dirty tank for large rooms
- 2.4m upholstery hose with a tool kit, plus a removable tool caddy
- Pays for itself after roughly ten hire-shop days if you clean often
Keep in mind
- Heavy and bulky to store at over 14kg, and awkward to carry up stairs
- One of the dearest uprights here, hard to justify for occasional use
- Most owners use Rug Doctor's own solutions, which adds running cost
7.Shark CarpetXpert HairPro Pet EX220UK
An upright built around pet hair, with an anti-clog design so hair does not jam the brush. Owners with dogs and cats rate it highly.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Anti-clog design that copes with pet hair
- 1000W motor with a 2.3L clean tank
- Comes with a Deep Clean Pet starter bottle
- Five-year warranty
Keep in mind
- The 0.85L dirty tank is small and needs emptying often
- At around 7.9kg it is not light to move between rooms
- A retailer lists it as unsuitable for wool carpets
8.Vytronix SWASH450P
A cheap, light spot cleaner for small stains on carpet, sofas and car seats. A sensible first machine if you only need occasional spot work.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it5th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Among the cheapest here
- Light at about 4.2kg and easy to carry
- Self-cleaning nozzle for easier tidy-up
- Two wash tools in different sizes
Keep in mind
- 1L clean tank and 850ml dirty tank mean frequent refills
- Vytronix says not to use carpet shampoo because it foams
- Less suction than the pricier spot cleaners
9.Vax Platinum Power Max ECB1SPV1
A big 1200W upright aimed at whole-room deep cleans. It pairs large tanks with a long hose and a hard floor tool, so it also handles stairs and hard floors.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is8th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 3.5L clean tank and 2.9L dirty tank cut down on refills in a large room
- Long hose with a SpinScrub hand tool for stairs and upholstery
- Quick-clean mode brings drying down to around an hour, according to Vax
- Includes a hard floor squeegee tool and a pre-treatment solution
Keep in mind
- Heavy at nearly 10kg, and awkward to carry upstairs
- A full-size upright needs real cupboard space
- Carpets stay damp for longer in normal mode than in quick-clean
10.Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 3670E
A 1300W upright with a 3.7L clean tank that uses steam-heated water to loosen ground-in dirt. It comes with a detachable hose for stairs and upholstery.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it10th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- 1300W with steam-heated cleaning for ground-in marks
- Quick Dry mode brings drying down to around 30 minutes, according to Bissell
- 2.4m detachable hose with a stain tool and a 3-in-1 stair tool
- Covered by a Bissell manufacturer warranty
Keep in mind
- Heavy at around 10kg
- Retailers advise against it on wool carpets because steam can shrink them
- One of the dearer uprights here
Before you buy a carpet cleaner
Should I buy an upright carpet cleaner or a spot cleaner?
Buy an upright if you want to wash whole rooms or hallways. Uprights hold about 2.3L to 3.8L of clean water, weigh from about 8kg to over 14kg and need cupboard space. A spot cleaner such as the Vax SpotWash Duo or Bissell SpotClean Pro handles spills, stairs, sofas and car seats, and is easier to store. If you only have occasional accidents, a spot cleaner is enough. Some uprights, such as the Shark EX150UKCP, add a handheld tool, so one machine covers both jobs.
Do carpet cleaners actually work better than a stain remover spray?
For a small, fresh mark, a spray and a cloth is often enough and costs less. Machines work better on ground-in dirt, old stains and large areas, because they spray cleaning solution into the pile and suck the dirty water out. A spray leaves the residue in the carpet. Keep a spray for small marks and use a machine for the rest.
How long does a carpet take to dry after using a carpet cleaner?
Vax quotes as little as an hour on its Platinum uprights in their fastest drying mode, and longer otherwise. Drying depends on how many passes you make, how thick the pile is and how warm the room is. Open a window or run a fan, and go over the carpet with a dry pass to pull out as much water as you can. Avoid walking on it in shoes until it is dry.
Which carpet cleaner is best for pet urine and smells?
Shark's HairPro Pet is built to cope with pet hair, and the Vax Platinum SmartWash comes with a pet attachment. A spot cleaner like the Bissell SpotClean Pro suits a puppy's accidents. For urine, use a pet or enzyme solution and go over the area twice, because the smell comes back if urine stays in the carpet backing. Check the manual before using a third-party solution, as some warranties ask for the brand's own.
Can I use a carpet cleaner on stairs, sofas and car seats?
Spot cleaners are made for this, with short hoses and small tools. Most uprights come with an upholstery or stair tool on a hose. Check the hose length and cord, since stairs need both. Run a patch test on a hidden area first. Machines are not suitable for all sofas, so check the care label, and don't soak foam.
Is it better to buy a carpet cleaner or hire one?
Hiring suits a one-off job, such as a deposit clean before moving out. If you clean several times a year or have pets or children, owning can pay back after roughly 3 to 10 hires, depending on the machine, and lets you treat a spill straight away. Buying also means paying for solutions, brushes and filters. Be careful with wool and delicate fibres, and test colour-fastness on a hidden patch first.
How we ranked these ten carpet cleaners
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover carpet cleaners for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 20 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 carpet cleaner
Bissell SpotClean Pro 1558E
A well-established portable spot cleaner with a 2.8L clean tank and strong suction. 9.0 out of 10.